Oxfam Great Britain
History
1942 Oxfam is born. Ever since, determined people like you have kept up the vital work started that night – and changed so many lives worldwide.
1943 The Oxford committee launches ‘Greek Week’ and raises £10,700 for the Greek Red Cross. That’s more than £370,000 in current money – an incredible effort from one city in wartime Britain.
1945 Famine committees around the UK – including in Oxford – get behind the campaign to persuade the UK government to let Brits send food parcels to Germany.
Full Oxfam’s history, please visit; https://www.oxfam.org.uk/what-we-do/about-us/history-of-oxfam
Mission
Oxfam is a global movement of millions of people who share the belief that, in a world rich in resources, poverty isn't inevitable. In just 15 years, extreme poverty has been halved. 15 more years and we can end it for good.
To spread that change and make it last, political solutions are also needed to tackle the root causes of poverty and create societies where empowered individuals can thrive. We will always act, we will speak out, and we won't live with poverty.
To Learn more about us, please visit; www.oxfam.org.uk
Target
We are a confederation of 19 Oxfam affiliates working in over 90 countries, all working as one Oxfam on six goals that support our shared vision of a just world without poverty.
Oxfam's six goals
Whether we are running life-saving emergency responses, life-changing development projects or campaigning at the grassroots to tackle poverty, Oxfam's work is always rooted in a vision of a world where women and men are valued and treated equally, able to influence the decisions that affect their lives and meet their responsibilities as full citizens. Oxfam's 6 goals put local communities and the voices of poor people at the centre of change - our best hope for ending the injustice of poverty.
- Help people claim their right to a better life
More women, young people and other poor and marginalised people will be able to exercise their civil and political rights, influence the decisions of people in power and hold them accountable for their actions.
- Champion equal rights for women
Women are still massively under-represented and often oppressed. We will help more poor and marginalised women claim their rights, and work to significantly reduce the prevalence of violence against women.
- Save lives, now and in the future
When natural disasters strike - or in times of war - we'll be there to save lives, providing clean water, food, sanitation and other fundamental needs. Fewer men, women and children will die or suffer illness, insecurity and deprivation.
- Safeguard global food supplies
We're working to protect food supplies so that people always have enough to eat. More people who live in rural poverty will enjoy greater food security, income, prosperity and resilience through fairer global food systems.
- Help people claim a fairer share of natural resources
Natural resources are vital for prosperity. We will work to help the world's most marginalised people become significantly more prosperous and resilient, despite increasing competition for land, water, food and energy sources, and stresses caused by a changing climate.
- Increase money for basic services
And we're pushing for more and better-targeted money to go to basic development such as health and education, so that more women, men, girls and boys can participate fully in the economic, social and democratic life of their societies.
This plan sets an ambitious agenda. Achieving a just world without poverty won't be easy. But together, it is possible.
Oxfam's values
As we strive to achieve the six goals (listed above), we will lead by example in demonstrating the same values that we wish to see in the people we work with and those we aim to influence.
Empowerment
Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
Accountability
Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
Inclusiveness
We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.